Arkansas GOP asks to intervene in voter ID suit

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Republican Party wants to intervene in a Pulaski County lawsuit over how absentee ballots are handled under the state's new voter ID law, arguing that the Democratic attorney general can't properly represent GOP voters.

The GOP on Wednesday asked to help defend a state panel that is being sued by the Pulaski County Election Commission for voting to allow absentee voters additional time to present photo identification if they don't include proof with their absentee ballots. The lawsuit claims the state Board of Election Commissioners overstepped its bounds by approving the rule.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said in a legal opinion absentee voters shouldn't be given the additional time allowed those who fail to show ID at the polls because Arkansas' law does not address it.

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